title: Physical activity and physical function improved following a community-based intervention in older adults in Georgia senior centers.
abstract: We evaluated a community-based physical activity intervention in Georgia senior centers. Participants were a convenience sample that completed the pre-test only (n = 592), or the pre-test, the intervention, and a post-test (n = 418, 98% aged 60 and older, mean age = 75, 83% female, 56% black). The 4-month physical activity intervention, based on the Health Belief Model, included 16 sessions that focused on educator-led chair exercises, promotion of walking, using a pedometer, and recording daily steps. Pre- and post-tests assessed physical activity and physical function, categorized as poor, moderate, or good (Short Physical Performance Battery). Following the intervention, participants improved their physical function (good physical function at pre-test vs. post-test: 16.5% vs. 25.3%, P < or = 0.001), increased minutes of physical activity by 26% (P < or = 0.001) and step counts by 29% (P < or = 0.0001, sub-sample, n = 95), and decreased reports of "it's not safe" as a barrier to physical activity (P < or = 0.05). Increased physical activity (P < or = 0.01) was associated with improved physical function following the intervention. The results of this evaluation provide an evidence base for the effectiveness of this community intervention for improving physical activity and physical function in older adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Foods and Nutrition, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Sara E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
authors.forename: Sudha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: Tiffany Sellers
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Lommel
authors.forename: Joan G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Speer
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.forename: Sohyun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015444:Exercise; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires